PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HOLDS RECEPTION FOR EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

ZAGREB, Jan 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman today held a reception for editors-in-chief, commentators and directors of the chief Croatian media. Tudjman said tackling the main problems of the Croatian state policy, which he outlined in his address to Parliament on Dec 22, remained his chief task, as well as that of all governnment bodies. Noting that it was not enough that state policy guidelines were read out in Parliament and published in the press, President Tudjman said certain vital national issues should be dealt with and elaborated systematically. "It's beautiful to fight for democracy," Tudjman said, adding that the sovereign and independent Croatian state was created to ensure democracy and civil liberties. "Don't forget where we were four years ago and where we are now," President Tudjman reminded his guests. "You probably remember Yugoslav Foreign Minister Jovanovic's statement that back in 1991, all international factors were urging him to quickly finish Croatia off," President Tudjman said. Tudjman then recalled Yugoslav army offensives against Vukovar and Dubrovnik, and the subsequent court-marshalling of their generals in Belgrade for "failing to subjugate Croatia." "The situation now is quite different... As they (international factors) were urging them (the Serbs) to finish off the independent, sovereign Croatia - the air raid on the Presidential Palace was a case in point - today the situation is quite reversed: we are being advised to use the same means, if all else fails," President Tudjman said. Despite these developments, the forces that at that time wanted to keep former Yugoslavia together at all costs, have not abandoned their goal. "They are still trying to force us back, using the occupied areas as a lever," Tudjman said, adding that in fighting for democracy one should be aware of such scenarios. "In that light your individual responsibility and that of your institutions becomes even greater," President Tudjman concluded. (hina) jn as vm 051653 MET jan 95